Welcome!

Welcome to the Grand Lake Neighborhood Center. We are located at 530 Lake Park Avenue, in Oakland, CA.

Open to the public:
Monday - Friday: 9AM - 5PM
Saturday: 9AM-11AM
Other times the center is closed or reserved for meetings or events.
Want to use the center for a meeting or event?

Report from the Middle East Group

Posted November 8th, 2008 by Bob Shurtleff

The conversation at today’s Middle East Group was as much about the election of Barack Obama as it was about the Middle East.  Below is a list of the articles for this week, some of which were discussed. (more…)

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Report from the Middle East Group

Posted November 2nd, 2008 by Bob Shurtleff

The main discussion today was centered on the NYT article of 10/21 on Pakistani legislators refusing to back the military operations in the tribal areas against the Taliban (handout # 4). Pres. Zardari had called the closed session to mobilize civilian political support for the ongoing army operations against militant groups, especially in Swat and Bajaur. After two weeks in closed session, most legislators opposed the miilitary campaign, fearing that it was leading to a civil war foisted on Pakistan by the U.S. Speaking for the opposition, Nawaz Sharif argued that a distinction had to be made between the Taliban, which could be talked to, and al Qaeda, whose adherents could not. Also, while the al Qaeda members are “outsiders,” the Taliban are “mostly Pashtuns living in Pakistan’s tribal areas.” (more…)

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Vacation plans for the East Bay Children’s Book Project

Posted November 2nd, 2008 by bookproject

Hello to all 1322 of you.

We hope you will visit this website. We will use this to keep you updated on our schedule and special events.

We will be closed Tuesday, November 4th. If you have not already done so, please go out and vote. If you have already voted, join the Get Out the Vote team and help others get to the polls.

We will be closed November 25th and 27th in celebration of Thanksgiving.

And we will close December 18th for the holiday season.

Check back on this website frequently for further information.

Your book team,

Ann, Fern, Denise, Judy, Jan $ Annette

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Nov 2 - Community Web Site Bee

Posted October 28th, 2008 by anca

Are you trying to work on your website or blog, but running into technical problems or lack of inspiration?  Join me and other folks at the Grand Lake Neighborhood Center this Sunday from 12-1:30 for our first Community Web Site Bee!

Get help with technical issues, or just work on your stuff with few distractions.  We have 5 desktop computers you can use, or bring your laptop and work off our WiFi.

There is a $5 suggested donation to cover costs associated with running the Neighborhood Center, but nobody will be turned away if you can’t pay.  Please RSVP  if you are coming, and let me know if you are bringing your own laptop or not.

RSVP Here

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Middle East Group, October 25

Posted October 26th, 2008 by Bob Shurtleff

Dave’s Middle East Study Group
Background Articles

Notes on Ahmed Rashid’s Descent Into Chaos

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Splash Pad Newsletter for October 25

Posted October 26th, 2008 by Ken Katz

Grand-Lakeshore Business News

Papyrus celebrated their Grand Reopening last Saturday with a festive celebration featured in an article in the Montclarion. I stopped by late that afternoon and took a couple of photos. This one gives a small glimpse of an all new interior (everything from paint to carpets) and all new merchandise including Obama/McCain cookies which will be available for a short time only. Welcome back, Meg!

Speaking of celebrations, Lakeshore Natural Foods will be observing their 20th Anniversary with a store-wide, 20% discount from November 3 through the 9th. In the festive spirit of that occasion, I’ve decided to share a little secret. For those of you who (like me) crave sweets but avoid dairy products, Jane carries Soy Dream non-dairy ice creams. I used to think that their Mocha Fudge flavor was almost as good as sex. Now that I’m officially a senior citizen, I can confess it’s better. I’m sharing this info on two conditions. Don’t spread it around and please, please, please save the last pint for me.

(more…)

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October update for the Children’s Book Project

Posted October 23rd, 2008 by anca

City council candidate Rebecca Kaplan visited the Children’s Book Project on October 16th.   She was very enthusiastic about our acitivities, and we hope that she can help keep us open.

The staff is shown wearing our wonderful Obama t-shirts, made by Children’s Book Project client Andy Kane.

First Book Grant Opportunity

You are invited to apply for brand new books! First Book-East Bay (one of the most generous providers of book to us) is currently accepting book grant applications. To qualify, you must be a tutoring, mentoring or family literacy program that works with children from low-income families, or a Title I school (or teacher at a Title I school).
(more…)

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Dave’s Middle East Group October 18, 2008

Posted October 19th, 2008 by Bob Shurtleff

Dave’s Middle East Group
October 18, 2008
Dave’s Middle East Group meets at the Grand Lake Neighborhood Center most Saturday afternoons, at 3 p.m., to discuss the Iraq war and the situation in the Middle East. We usually look at Juan Cole’s blog, Informed Consent, which is always very informative about current affairs. Dave also usually copies a few articles for discussion. The next meeting will be held next Saturday, October 25. Please stop by and talk with us.

Background Articles

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Local Business News

Posted October 15th, 2008 by Bob Shurtleff

The Gelato Firenze store, next to KFC on  Lake Park, is expanding.  Until now, you could buy a serving of their wonderful gelato, but there was very little space to sit down.  Of course, on a nice day you could sit outside or across the street in Splashpad Park, but now they are opening up an adjoining space with tables and chairs inside.  Now when I go for my delicious ginger gelato, I’ll be able to take a couple of friends along and enjoy my ice cream even when it’s pouring down rain.  Watch for new additions to the menu also.

Gelato Firenze

478A Lake Park Avenue

(510) 414-9997

 

With the closing of Walter Bennett Cameras recently, the storefront at 3268 Lakeshore has been vacant.  If you go by now, however, you will see work in progress.  The Beauty Center will be moving sometime around mid- November from the storefront next door, in time for the holiday season.

Beauty Center, Inc.

3264 Lakeshore Avenue

(510) 835-8347

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Papyrus Returns

Posted October 14th, 2008 by Bob Shurtleff

Saturday, October 18th, marks the Grand Reopening Celebration for Papyrus on Lakeshore Avenue.  An electrical fire next door at Oakland Kosher Foods Store, in early August, caused extensive smoke damage and forced the store to close.  Repairs and restocking have now been finished and the store is as beautiful as ever. 

The stationery and greeting card store has already been open for several days.  When I stopped by, I noticed that they had several rolls of Japanese hand-made paper, my favorite item there.  Meg Ghatge of Papyrus says the reopening celebration will be low key, but there will be wine and snacks.  Stop by and wish them well.

            Papyrus

3417 Lakeshore Avenue

(510) 451-3812

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